Senior Leadership

At Grace College & Seminary, the senior leadership desire to represent Christ through the way they lead, teach, and live their daily lives. Their goal is to honor the Lord through engaging change, pursuing expansion, and developing momentum as Grace seeks to provide the best education and environment for every student. The senior leadership team is devoted to bringing glory to God through its commitment to serve, love, and support the entire Grace family.

William J. Katip, Ph.D.

President
B.A. in Bible and Psychology, Grace College; M.S. in Clinical Psychology, Purdue University; Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration, Michigan State University

Dr. Bill Katip’s numerous years of academic administrative experience have been invaluable in guiding the school through its many recent innovative changes.  Relationship building with faculty, staff, students, and community members is an important part of his job as he seeks to understand and respond to the needs of Grace’s friends and family.  In addition to his presidential leadership, Dr. Katip co-teaches a GOAL class.

Ronald E. Manahan, Th.D.

Senior Advisor to the President
Diploma in Pastoral Studies, Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music; B.A. in Religion, Shelton College; M.Div., Grace Theological Seminary; Th.M. in Old Testament and Hebrew, Grace Theological Seminary; Th.D. in Old Testament and Hebrew, Grace Theological Seminary

Dr. Ron Manahan's visionary leadership has helped advance the institution through the development of new programs, the construction of new facilities, the expansion of global outreach, the facilitation of major gifts, and increased tuition affordability for students and families. In his new role as Senior Advisor to the President Dr. Manahan will assist Dr. Bill Katip with the presidential transition.

Jeffrey A. Gill

V.P. and Dean of Seminary and School of Ministry Studies
B.A. in Psychology, The Ohio State University; M.Div., Grace Theological Seminary; D.Min in Pastoral Studies, Denver Seminary; Ph.D. in Education Leadership, Western Michigan University

Dr. Jeffrey Gill was the senior pastor of Grace Brethren Church (Delaware, Ohio) for 20 years before joining Grace as dean of the Seminary in 2002. With two decades of pastoral experience, growing Grace Brethren Church from a handful of families to hundreds of members, Dr. Gill is a sought-after teacher and theologian. After leading Grace Theological Seminary for over a decade and earning his doctorate in educational leadership, Dr. Gill understands and offers the necessary educational and experiential components of ministry to Grace Schools.

Carrie A. Yocum, Ph.D.

V.P. of Administration and Compliance
B.S. in Social Work, Manchester College; M.S.W., Andrews University; Ph.D. in Leadership, Andrews University

Dr. Carrie Yocum assists in the overall academic administration of the institution with a focus on accreditation, academic policies, compliance, and human resources. 

Thomas A. Dunn III, M.B.A.

V.P. of Strategic Initatives and Planning
B.A. in Business Administration, Grove City College; M.B.A. in Marketing, Fox School of Business, Temple University

Prior to Grace College, Tom Dunn served 10 years as the CEO of Crystal Inc., a Philadelphia-based manufacturing company that sells specialty and performance chemicals. Dunn's campus responsibilities include the School of Adult and Community Education, Online Education, Grace Community Education, the physical plant, marketing, and strategic planning.

G. Stephen Popenfoose, M.B.A.

V.P. of Financial Affairs
B.S. in Accounting and Business Administration, Grace College; M.B.A., University of Phoenix

Steve Popenfoose advises the Board of Trustees and the President on all fiscal matters. He oversees treasury management, the issuance and management of debt, the maintenance of financial reserves, and the investment of financial assets. Popenfoose also takes care of budget administration and regulatory compliance requirements, while supervising human resources and information technology.

James E. Swanson, Ph.D.

V.P. of Student Affairs and Academic Services, Assistant Professor of Sociology
B.M., William Tyndale College; M.A. in Counseling, Eastern Michigan University; Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration: Educational Leadership, Western Michigan University

Dr. Jim Swanson spends his days meeting with Student Affairs staff and student leaders, helping to guide life in the residence halls, chapel planning, campus safety, first-year experience, clubs and organizations, and other areas of life for students both inside and outside the classroom at Grace. In addition to his responsibilities as Vice President of Student Affairs and Academic Services, Dr. Swanson uses his counseling background to teach in the School of Behavioral Science.

Cindy N. Sisson, M.A.

V.P. of Enrollment Management
B.A. in Psychology and Christian Ministries, Grace College; M.A. in Counseling, Western Michigan University

Cindy N. Sisson provides institutional leadership for the college-wide recruitment process by executing all enrollment policies, programs, and services and assisting in the development of marketing strategies. Sisson establishes and directs all admissions activities for residential programs, aligning them with the institution's mission and values. Additionally, Sisson assists with student retention strategies and is the advisor for all GOAL students. Sisson teaches in the Department of Behavioral Science and in the GOAL degree completion program.